Top 5 Reasons For and Against the Lakers Repeating – Part One
Allen Moll is an avid NBA and College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen is a regular columnist for thehoopdoctors.com, Bleacherreport.com, Fanhuddle.com as a NY Knicks and Wizards correspondent, and his own blog, Hoops Haven.
The LA Lakers are a very talented team that made some changes to their roster this offseason in an attempt to repeat as World Champions. They will undoubtedly encounter a few obstacles in their quest to win their 16th NBA title. While they proved to have unquestioned supreme talent by winning it all last year, this is a new season and they will have to prove themselves against the league’s elite teams once again. Here are a few reasons for and against the Lakers in ‘09-’10:
Top 5 Reasons for concern:
1) Andrew Bynum’s knees – Can Bynum fulfill his immense potential or be hindered by reoccuring injuries? Before his most recent knee injury last January, he averaged 26.2 pts, 13.8 rebs, and 3.2 blocks. When he returned for the Lakers playoff run he averaged 6.4 pts and 3.7 rebs by playing in only 19 mins/gm because of foul problems. LA will need Bynum at or near full strength to anchor their 1st team defense against likely playoff opponents like Oden, Duncan, O’Neal, and Howard.
2)Kobe’s desire to “Be Like Mike” – We all know Kobe is arguably the most competitive player on the planet. His desire to one day be in the same conversation as MJ, with his 6 NBA titles and 5 MVP awards, may sometimes influence his judgment on the court. I’m sure Phil Jackson would rather have him distribute just a little more within the triangle offense. Also, on the Shaq-Kobe front, each may be trying to be the first to capture title #5.
3)Ron-Ron’s control of his emotions – Artest can be an imposing defensive force. Does he sometimes go to far, in a Rodman sort of way? Yes. While this is both a gift and a curse, a out of control Artest can do more harm than good. His recent comical re-enaction on youtube to “The Brawl” from a few years ago has me worried it could happen again.
4)Pau Gasol’s finger – Gasol, without complications, should resume basketball activities by Sept. 1st. One positive on a negative situation is that the injury is to his non shooting hand. Many LA fans are holding their breath since he plans to rejoin his native Spain in Eurobasket play by Sept. 7th,
5)Who will replace the Zenmaster when and if he retires – Phil Jackson is an impulsive spirit as they come. Jackson himself has had some nagging health issues. Who will succeed Jackson? Kareem? Brian Shaw? And when? Do these rumors creep into the players and coaches minds and attempt to derail “Showtime” in LA? Doubtful, but the rumors have started already.
Please read the Top 5 Reasons the Lakers will Repeat in Part Two tomorrow.
I hope Ron-Ron breaks everyones ribs on the Lakers, starting with Kobe’s. Ok, that was just hate coming out of me.
Seriously, how much of a break did LA get last year? They got Houston without their 2 best players and still played 6 games. They got Denver who played em game but just don’t matchup well for LA, and they didn’t have to see San Antonio.
Plus, the East effed up by letting Orlando win because Boston’s health went down the tubes and Cleveland’s GM Danny Ferry nutted up at the trade deadline by not trading for Shaq, Vince Carter, or Richard Jefferson by saying “I think we can win with Wally EFFING Szczerbiak.” Orlando didn’t have a chance against the Lakers. If BOS/CLE can put it together then I think LA’s chances take a bigger hit regardless of what their team setup is currently.
-Ed.
Lack of perimeter footspeed will also be a concern. Artest isn’t as quick as he used to be and LA just ditched one of their best wing defenders (Ariza). Plus the Fisher/Farmar/Brown platoon at PG is pretty weak.
They’ll most likely win the title anyway but Phil doesn’t double team so P&R against teams with quick wings and guards is always a problem.
@Ed: Orlando had a chance in the Finals. Lee missed the layup and Howard bricked almost half his FTs. Also, Van Panic destroyed his guard rotation by bringing Nelson back too early. That series could have been a lot closer.
But you can’t say LA got lucky. Nobody handed it to them; they took it.
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Orlando was 1 layup and 1 free throw away from a 3-1 lead. Nelson messed up the chemistry and Van Gundy was out coached. It was Orlandos’ first NBA finals in over 10 years. They will be back. Rumor is they are looking to trade Gortat + trade exemption for David Lee.
Magic for the finals
C: Howard-Bass-Lee
PF: Lee-Lewis-Bass
SF:Lewis-Pietrus-Barnes
SG: Carter-Pietrus-Reddik
PG: Nelson-Williams-AJ
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Nah, your predictions are doubtful. Dont really agree with em at all. Ha Ron’s emotions? looks like youre pulling some invisible strings. Lake show did wreck the playoffs. Let’s see though if Magic can pick up some slack. Dubious indeed. Wait till preseason until you can start flaming the lake show. Hey, i give you props on at least being consistent.